[A study on effectiveness of treatment and prevention of relapse using topical administration of terbinafine in a guinea pig model for tinea pedis].

The effectiveness of topical terbinafine (TBF) to tinea pedis was evaluated an animal model in which guinea pigs were experimentally infected through their planta pedis with Trichophyton mentagrophytes, then a 1% TBF or butenafine (BTF) cream was administered topically once daily for 4 consecutive weeks. The therapeutic efficacy was assessed on the basis of recovery of fungal cultures from the planta pedis. The cured guinea pigs were reared in a clean environment that protected the animals from reinfection. The dermal tissues were cultured 2, 4, and 8 weeks post-treatment to examine for relapse of tinea. Complete cure was achieved after 4 weeks of administration of TBF or BTF cream. In animals receiving 4 weeks of treatment with TBF, relapse was not observed up to 8 weeks after the termination of treatment. In animals treated with BTF for 4 weeks, while no relapse occurred 4 weeks after cessation of the treatment, relapse was detected in 2 out of 10 feet at 8 weeks after the termination of treatment. These results suggest that topical TBF is effective in curing the infection and in preventing relapse in a guinea pig model of tinea pedis.